Tubing packer



J. s. PAGE 2,592,947

TUBING PACKER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 1 April 15, 1952 Filed Julyjf, 1946JNVEA'TOR. fok/l S pag@ A E BFH C w April 15, 1952 Filed July 3, 1946 J.S. PAGE TUBING PACKER 2 SHEETS-SHEET 2 INVENTOR.

fo/lu Spaye Patented Apr. l5, 1952 2,592,947 TUBING PAKER .lohn S. Page,Long Beach, Calif., assigner to Page Oil Tools Inc., Long Beach,-Calif., a corporation of California Application `luly 3, 1946,V SerialNo. 681,316

' (el. 16s- 12) 8 Claims.

This invention relates to a tubing packer and is more specificallyconcerned with a tubing packer combined with a tubing support, it beinga general object of the invention to provide a tool of this characterwhich is simple, practical, safe and dependable.

It is a general objectief the present invention to providea tool of thegeneral character referred to involving a gripping mechanism or slipdevice that can .be set or engaged independently of the packersorpacking means included in the tool.

Another vobject is to provide a gripping device and a packer related asabove outlined so that if pressureis acting to urge the packer upwardlythe packer will merely :1ct to aid in the setting of thegrippingmecbanism.

Another-object is to provide a tool wherein a packing means may serve toset or to aid in setting the gripping means but will not act to releasethe gripping means in the event that there is a reversal of pressureoperating the packing means in the opposite direction.

Anotherobject is to .provide a tool wherein the gripping meansor slipmechanism serves to carry the load or weight ofthe tubing so that thepacking means is not under such load but is actuated by iiuid pressureto maintain a tight j,

seal.

Another object is to provide a tool embodying a plurality ol packerswhich can be arranged or faced in any desired manner. The presentinvention contemplates providing the tool with a j.

plurality of packerunits and any desired number of such units canbefaced in either direction or in both directions. as well conditions mayrequire. Thevconstruction of the tool is such that it can 'ce readilyextended to accommodate a large number of packingunits if they becomenecessary. .Y l

Another object is to provide a tool involving packing means freelyslidable on the main body of the tool which packing means is sealed withthe body of, the tool Fand being free does not impede or offer a dragtopi-event operation of the gripping means employed for supporting theAnother object is to provide a tool which is cl4 simple practicalconstruction and which involves few rugged easily formed parts that canbe readily assembled or taken apart.

The various objects and features of my invention will be fullyunderstood from the following detailed description of a typicalpreferred form and application of my invention, through whichdescription reference is made to the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. l is a sectional view of a part of a well showing a liner locatedwithin a casing and showing the tool of the present invention sealed inthe liner and supporting a string of tubing therein. Fig. 2 is anenlarged detailed sectionall View of the mechanism of the presentinvention, being a view taken as indicated by line 2 2 on Fig. l. Fig. 3is an enlarged detailed sectional view of a tool taken substantially asindicated by line 3-3 on Fig. l, showing two packer units in placeinstead of four, as shown in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a view similar to aportion of Fig. 2 showing the parts in a different position. Fig. 5 isan enlarged detailed transverse sectional view taken as indicated byline 5--5 on Fig. 1. Fig. 6 is an enlarged detailed transverse sectionalview taken as indicated by line 6 6 onFig. '2. Fig. 7 is an enlargeddetailed transverse -sec-k tionalrview taken as indicated by line 1-1 onFig. 2, andFig. 8 is an enlarged sectional view of one of the packerunits.

The tool of the present invention can be used in various situations.However, as above pointed out it is particularly useful on or inconnection with tubing arrangedwithin a tubular string such as a linerand.' therefore, inli'ig. lof the drawings I have shown a 'situationwhere there is a well bore A lined with a casing B within which there isa liner C. A string of tubing is shown within the liner and the tool ofthe present invention is shown in connection with the tubing supportingthe tubing in the liner and establishing a packing or seal between thetubingY and the liner. The tool of the present invention can be used onor in a. string of tubing; that is. it can be applied to the lower endof a string of tubing or it can be incorporated intermediate the ends ofa string of tubing, in which case, as'shown in the drawings, it isarranged between an upper section lll of a tubing string and a lowersection Il of the tubing string.

, The tool of the present invention involves, generally, a slipmechanism or gripping device D carried by or connected with the tubingand engageable with the liner, operating means E for the slip mechanism,control means F for the means E, bypass means G provided. to maintainfree communication between the inside and the outside of the tool whenthe slip mechanism is held retracted or in the released position andpacking means H serving to pack the tool or the tubing in or with theliner C, y

The slip mechanism D is preferably located or incorporated in the toolso that it occurs at the upper end portion thereof, and in its preferredform it involves, generally, a body section l2 and a plurality of slips|3 carried by and cooperating with the section. The body section of themeans or mechanism D is an elongate tubular part or structure having anenlargement or head portion I4 with a plurality of circumferentiallyspaced inclined guideways I5 which carry the slips I3. The upper endportion I5 of the body section |2 is of reduced diameter and is in thenature of a stem by which the body section is connected to the tubingand which serves as a part to be engaged if it is necessary to iish thetool from the well. In the case illustrated the stem |5 is shown with aninternally threaded opening to receive the lower end of the uppersection I of the tubing string and its exterior is provided with wickersifi to cooperate with a fishing tool.

The slips i3 may be of the type generally employed in tools of thisgeneral character, that is, they may be wedge-shaped parts havinggripping teeth IS on their outer faces and they are preferably keyed orlocked to the guideways of the body so that they are properly maintainedin the desired position thereon. The manner in which the slips areengaged with the guideways of the body is clearly illustrated in Fig. 5of the drawings.

The operating means for the slip mechanism involves, generally, anelongate tubular body section 2i), a sleeve 2| slidable on the bodysection 2), a plurality of grippers or spring lingers 22 carried by thesleeve, links 23 connected to the slips I3 and a coupling between thelinks 23 and the sleeve 2 I.

The elongate tubular body section 20 is arranged below the body sectionI2 of means D and is shown attached thereto by a tubular coupling 24. Inthe particular construction illustrated the coupling 24 is an elongatetubular part entering the lower end of body section I2 and threadedthereto at 25 and entering the upper end of the body section 2i) andthreaded thereto at 26. The coupling 24 may be considered a part orcontinuation of either of the body sections and when the body sectionsare joined by the coupling these parts, that is, the body sections I2,2D and the coupling 24, form a rigid, continuous tubular body structure.

The sleeve 2| of means E is slidable and rotatable on the body section20 and it serves primarily as a carrier for the fingers 22.

The spring iingers or grips 22 may be of the form and constructionemployed, generally, in tail pieces, and they are carried by the sleeve2| to normally frictionally engage the interior of the liner C. In theparticular case illustrated the upper end portions of the fingers 22 areshown secured to the upper end portion of sleeve 2| by suitablefastening devices 28 while the lower end portions of the iingersslidably bear on the lower end portion of the sleeve where they extendunder guards 25. The middle or outwardly bowed portions of the fingersare free and project outwardly to bear in the liner in the mannerillustrated in Fig. l of the drawings.

The links23 are in the nature of connecting links having their upperends connected to the lower ends of the slips I3 as by pivot pins 30while their lower ends are connected to the coupling which joins thelinks to the sleeve 2| as by pivot pins 3|.

The particular coupling provided between the links and sleeveillustrated in the drawings involves, generally, an annular collar 32tting loosely around the coupling 24 and formed to receive and hold thepivot pins 3| which hold the lower ends of the links. A split ring 33 isassembled around and embraces a portion of the collar 32 to be coupledthereto and is threaded at 34 into the upper end of the sleeve 2| sothat its sections are maintained in the desired assembled positionembracing the collar.

The control means F for the operating means E is preferably a bayonettype control. For instance, as shown in the drawings, it involves one ormore projections or pins 40 projecting from the exterior of the bodysection 20 and cooperating with bayonet slots in the sleeve 2|. In theparticular case illustrated I show two projecting pins 4|) on the bodysection 20 located diametrically opposite each other and I provide twobayonet slots each having a vertical or longitudinal section 4| and atop or lateral section or notch 62 at the upper end of the section 4|.When' the pins are engaged in the notches 52 the sleeve is lockedagainst longitudinal movement on the body section 20 but when the pins40 are in register with the sections 4| of the slots the sleeve is freeto move vertically far enough to allow full movement of the slips |3upward on the inclined parts of the body section l2.

The by-pass means G provided to maintain free communication between theinside and the outside of the toolr when the control means F is setholding the slips down is a port construction involving or embodyingparts of the body section 20 and parts of the sleeve 2|. In thepreferred form of the invention illustrated in the drawings one or moreby-pass ports 50 are provided in the body section 20 intermediate itsends or at a point where it is covered by the sleeve 2|. If the numberof ports 55 is made to correspond to the number of bayonet slotsprovided in the sleeve 2B the ports 5U may be made to cooperate with thebayonet slots. In the case illustrated I have shown two bayonet slots inthe sleeve 2| and four by-pass ports 50 in the body section 2B. In thiscase two of the ports 5|) cooperate with the bayonet slots and two ofthe ports 50 cooperate with by-pass ports 5| provided in the sleeve 2|between the bayonet slots. Where four ports 5B are provided, as shown inthe drawings, they are preferably located apart and the bayonet slotsand ports 5| are located 90 apart the ports being located and related sothat when the pins 4B of means F are engaged in the notches 42 of thebayonet slots the ports 58 register with the bayonet slots and ports 5|providing free passage or communication between the interior of the tooland the exterior thereof. This relationship of parts is clearlyillustrated in Fig. 2 of the drawings. When the pins `Mi are rotated outof the notches 42 so that they are in the longitudinal portions of thebayonet slots the ports 50 are out of register with the bayonet slotsand ports 5I so that communication between the interior of the tool andthe exterior thereof is shut off. This relationship of parts isillustrated in Fig. 4. of the drawings. To prevent or minimize leakageit is preferred to provide packing means at or in connection with theport construction just described. In the case illustrated packingv rings55 are provided between the body 2|) and sleeve 2| and belowthe ports5B. In the case illustrated 4the wall of the body 2|) is thicker thanthat of the sleeve 2| and therefore the packing rings are shown carriedin body 20.

The packing means H that I have provided is preferably located below thestructure thus far described or, in other words, atthe lower end portionof the tool. In its preferred form the packing means involves,generally, an el-ongate tubular body section 60 and one' or 'more packerunits 6| carried onA the body section; The body section 60 is preferablya simple, tubular part having its upper end joined Lor coupled to thebody structure above described. In' the case illustrated the upper endof the body section 6B.

is shown threaded into the lower end portion of body section 20 at 62.The body section 60 is made of such length as to accommodate thenumberof packing units 6| desired inthe tool and consequently it may varywidely in length. In Fig. l I illustrate a body of such length as toaccommodate four packer units whereas in Fig. 3

I illustrate a body which is shorter and such as g:

the tubing section H may be considered a part yof the present tool tothe extent that it is applied to the lower end of the body section 6!)and forms an enlargement retaining the packer units 6| on the bodysection, it being understood that any such part can be employed thatwill serve this purpose if the tool is not used in connection with alower tubing section, as shown in the drawings.

It is a feature of the ypresent invention that I` can employ one or morepacker units El as circumstances require and I can arrange the packerunits to face in either or both directions, that is, I can use one ormore packer units all faced up, or one or more packer units all faceddown, or I can use a combination of packer units some faced up and somefaced down. In Fig. l of the drawings I illustrate four packerunits,three faced down and one faced up, the uppermost of the group beingfaced up... In Fig. 3 I show a simple arrangement where there are buttwo packer units, one faced up and one faced down, the uppermost beingfaced up. l'iVith'the construction that I have provided the desiredcombination and arrangement of packer units can be gained quickly andconveniently since it is merely necessary to slide the packer units ontothe body section 69 facing them in the desired direction as they areapplied and it is unnecessary to operate threaded connections or jointsof any kind.

Each packer unit 6| is, in general, an independent packer individuallyand freely vmovable on the body section Sil. In the preferred form ofthe invention each packer unit 6| includes, generally, an elongatetubular part or sleeve l@ having a bore or opening H therethrough suchas to slidably accommodate the Abody section 60. The sleeve 'l0 isprovided at one end with-an enlargement or head l2 which carries packing13 and forms an abutment or shoulder 14 for a the.

packing support 15. In the particular case illustrated the head 12 isformed separate from the rest of the sleeve and is secured thereto bywelding 'I6 and the packing 13 is a ring of suitable shape and formed ofsuitable material carment,

The packing element is preferably a unit of rubber or the like having anannular body portion SB carried onthe'sleeve 'l0 in engagement with thesupport 15 and so that it extends under the retaining Iiange 18. Anannular extension 8| is provided on the body 80 forming a sealing lipshapedl and proportioned to normally yieldingly bear outwardly in theliner C. Being formed as just described the lip 8ll has a cavity orchamber E2 within it for the reception of fluid so that fluid underpressure acts inside or within the lip to urge it out into sealingengagement with the liner. A retainer such as a collar 83 is applied tothe sleeve 1B to retain the packer f: body in engagement with thesupport '|5. In the case illustrated the collar B3 is threaded to theend portion of the sleeve l and a spacer 84 is arranged between thecollar and the body ll. With this arrangement the collar 83 occursoutward of and beyond the end of lip 8| so that itis easily accessible,i,

From the foregoing description it will be apparent that I have provideda tool that can be advantageously applied to or incorporated in a stringof tubing and that the tool can be positioned with the slips retractedand so that it can be readily run into the well tothe desired point orlocation. When at the desired point in the well the means F is releasedby suitable rotation of the tool disengaging the pins 40 from thenotches 42. With the slips released they can be actuated by lowering thetubing slightly causing the body I2 to move down relative to' the slipsI3, the slips being supported against downward movement-by the springiingers 22 frictionally engaged in the liner C. If there is upwardpressure in the liner C below the tool it may act on the packers orpacker units 6|l so that they move up causing the uppermost unit toengage the lower end of sleeve 2| causing the slips to be forced up onthe body section I2. iIt is to be observed that with the arrangementthat I have provided the uppermost packer unit 5| is free-to bearagainst the lower end of sleeve 2i to effect the action just described.By providing a plurality of packer units BI constructed as abovedescribed and by arranging them in the desired manner, I am able to packagainst leakage in either direction. It is to be understood that as thetool is being lowered into the well the by-pass means G is open allowingfree circulation of fluid between the inside and the outside of the toolabove the packer units, but when the means F has been released the meansG is closed.

It is yto be noted that each packer unit 6| is sealed on the supportingbody section and it will be apparent that sufficientplay or longitudinalmovement is provided for shifting of the packer units along the bodysection 60 so that in the event there is a reversal of pressure, forinstance a down pressure in the liner C, the packer units are free tomerely move away from the lower end of sleeve 2| without in any waydisturbing the setting of the means D. Furthermore, it is to be observedthat the several body sections incorporated in the tool when assembledor arranged together, as above described, form a continuous tubular bodystructure extending from one end of the tool to the other and whichserves as a duct or continuation of the tubing when the tool isconnected in a tubing string, as above described.

Having described only a typical preferred form and application of myinvention, I do not wish to be limited or restricted to the specificdetails herein set forth, but wish to reserve to myself any variationsor modications that may appear to those skilled in the art and fallwithin the scope of the following claims.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. A Well tool of the character described for operation in a well casingincluding, a central tubular body, a gripping mechanism on the body andengageable in the casing, operating means ior the mechanism including amember on the body shiftable longitudinally thereof and normallyrictionally engaging the casing, and packing means including a unitshiftable longitudinally of the body and relative to the mechanism andalso relative to the said operating means abutting said member whenmoved in one direction.

2. A well tool of the character described for operation in a well casingincluding, a central tubular body, a grippingmechanism on the body andengageablein the casing, operating means for the mechanism including amember on the body frictionally engaging the casing shiftablelongitudinally of the tool, said member having a continuous uniformfrictional engagement with the casing, and packing means including aplurality of packer units shiftable along the body and relative to saidmember and one arranged to abut said member when shifted in onedirection.

3. A well tool of the character described for operation in a well casingincluding, a central tubular body, a casing gripping mechanism on thebody, operating means for the mechanism including a casing engagingmember shiftable longitudinally of the body, and packing means includinga plurality of packer units shiftable along the body and relative tosaid member and one arranged to abut said member when shifted in onedirection, each unit including a sleeve slidable on the body and apacking element on the sleeve and engaging the casing, and seals betweenthe sleeves of said units and the body.

4. A well tool of the character described including, a central tubularbody, a casing gripping mechanism on the body, operating means for themechanism including a casing engaging member shiftable longitudinally ofthe body and having uniform and continuous frictional engagement withthe casing, and packing means including a plurality of cup-shaped packerunits shiftable along the body and relative to said member and onearranged to abut said member when shifted in one direction, there beingunits faced in each direction lengthwise of the tool.

5. A tool of the character described for operation in a well casingincluding, an elongate tubular body, casing engaging slips carried atthe upper end portion of the body, a member carried on the body belowthe slips shiftable lengthwise of the body to operate the slips andhaving spring lingers in uniforml continuous frictional engagement withthe casing, and a casing engaging packer unit slidable on the lower endportion .of the body and into abutting engagement with said member uponbeing moved upwardly on the body.

6. A tool of the character described for operation in a well casingincluding, an elongate tubular body, casing engaging slips carried atthe upper end portion of the body, a membercarried on the body below theslips and releasably latched thereto, the member being shiftablelengthwise to operate the slips and having spring fingers in uniformcontinuous frictional engagement with the casing, means controlling theshifting of said'member lengthwise of the body, and a casing engagingpacker unit slidable on the lower end portion of the body and relativeto said member and into abutting engagement with said member upon beingmoved upwardly on the body.

'7. A tool of the character described for operation in a well casingincluding, an elongate tubular body having a fixed tapered head thereon,slips carried by the body cooperating with the head, a sleeve on thebody shiftable lengthwise thereof and operatively coupled with theslips, a spring finger carried by the sleeve and normally frictionallyengaging the casing, packing means carried by the body adjacent thesleeve and shiftable relative thereto, and means controlling movement ofthe sleeve lengthwise of the body including a pin on the bodycooperating with a slot on the sleeve, the slot having a portionextending lengthwise of the tool and a lateral notch at one end of saidportion, and by-pass means including cooperating ports in the body andsleeve in register when the pin is in the notch holding the sleeveagainst longitudinal movement.

8. A tool of the character described including, an elongate tubularbody, slips carried by the body, a rigid annular sleeve shiftable alongthe body, and a connection between the slips and sleeve including links,pivot pins connecting the links to the slips and a coupling between thelinks and sleeve including a rigid annular collar engaged freely aroundthe body, pivot pins connecting the links to the collar, and a sectionalsleeve including a plurality of separable arcuate sections assembledaround a portion of the collar to be coupled therewith, the sectionalsleeve having an externally threaded portion on which the rigid sleeveis threaded to hold the sections of the sectional sleeve assembled andto couple the two sleeves together.

i JOHN S. PAGE.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in Vthe iile ofthis patent:

UNrrnD STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 12,005,955 Renouf Jan. 25, 19352,179,812 Calkins NOV. 14, 1939 2,189,697 Baker Feb. 6, 1940 2,290,441McGafey July 21, 1942 2,338,369 Williams Jan. 4, 1944 2,368,401 BakerJan. 30, '1945 v21,390,112 McGaffey Dec. il, 1945 2,506,680 Otis May 9,1950

